Two of Paxton’s top deputies were pushed out over sexual-harassment allegations, and his office never said why
A 2025 lawsuit revealed that Paxton’s solicitor general and his litigation chief left the office in 2023 after sexual-harassment allegations by a staffer who worked on his impeachment defense. An internal email from his top deputy said one admitted the allegations and both were allowed to resign instead of being fired. The office gave no reason when they left.
What happened
A former staffer sued former Solicitor General Judd Stone and former litigation chief Chris Hilton, alleging sexual harassment while they worked on Paxton’s impeachment defense. 01
The complaint includes a December 2024 email from First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster saying Stone admitted the allegations and that the two were allowed to resign in lieu of termination. When they left in 2023, the office gave no reason. 01
Stone and Hilton deny wrongdoing. 01
Why it matters
Two of the most senior lawyers in the state’s top law office were allowed to leave quietly over harassment allegations, and the public was never told. 01
Timeline
- Lawsuit reveals two of Paxton’s top deputies were pushed out over sexual-harassment allegations
What the sources show
The allegations are from a lawsuit and have not been decided; the email is an exhibit in the complaint. 01
Paxton’s response
We found no public response from Paxton to the lawsuit. 01
Sources
- 01Top deputies to Attorney General Ken Paxton pushed out over sexual harassment allegations, lawsuit saysThe Texas Tribune · May 28, 2025
Updates and corrections
- Case file published.